This morning my 16-year-old (for one more week) told me he
graduates from high school in nine months.
This ‘revelation’ kind of took both of us aback.
He’s ready for school to start, ready for senior year, ready
for what lies ahead…college...and beyond.
Me, I think I’m ready for the nursing home.
Also this morning I had a routine appointment with the
surgeon who did my foot surgery last summer.
Earlier this summer I had a blood clot, most likely caused by hormones
and a long car trip. Since then I’ve
been having shin pain, and the ‘good’ news is that annoyance isn’t alarming. It just takes time for all the
‘vascular systems’ to return to normal after a blood clot.
But I also got some ‘not so good’ news. The nerve damage in
my other ankle has worsened. Deep down I think I’ve known this as I limped
along on my daily hour-long walks. Fortunately, I inherited my mother’s high
tolerance for pain.
Unfortunately, high tolerance notwithstanding, this needs to
be taken care of surgically so I can continue to be active into my declining
years.
Which quite frankly have felt like this summer.
Now a disclaimer…
None of this is life threatening (well, except for the blood
clot), it’s just annoying and depressing. Recovery won’t be nearly as extensive
since I’m not having toes pinned, etc. as I did last summer. But the bottom
line is I’ll still be inactive for a longer period of time than I’d like.
Exercise makes me happy. It keeps the endorphins flowing and
prevents me from being pudgier than I am.
My ‘baby’ graduates from high school in nine months, and it
took me ten years to lose the worst of the baby weight.
Another disclaimer: My mother says the statute of
limitations is up on that area of blame.
Exercise also gifts me with excellent cholesterol numbers,
keeps me off high blood pressure medications, and staves off the diabetes which
runs rampant on both sides of my family.
So…if I want to be able to keep exercising I have to take
time to have surgery and recover.
Time has a way of passing quickly though.
After all, in nine months my baby graduates from high
school.
